Getting started

Ohioutony · 11/12/2015, 09:34 PM

Hello all, so I am about a week into cycling my 180 gallon tank with a 125 fuge/sump/filter sock tank. How many snails and hermit crabs and cleaner shrimp should I have? I see some green hair like algae starting. I have one fish, believe it or not a black moly feeder fish was hiding in a hole of a piece of rock that I bought so he got in by mistake haha. I have about 200 lbs of dry rock that cured in a 55 gallon barrel for a couple weeks before I put them in the tank.

Ohioutony · 11/12/2015, 09:37 PM

Don't make fun of my lights I haven't bought any less yet I just have a clamp light with a 60 w led bulb in it until I figure out what kind of light to use and the picture of the fuge was when I was setting it up.

Ohioutony · 11/12/2015, 09:37 PM

Art13 · 12/29/2015, 02:26 PM

if you've checked your parameters and they all show the cycle complete, consider reef cleaners.org, and get half or less than what is recommended, they have packages for tank size. That would give you a starting point, and you can also add a few others to your liking.

chimmike · 12/29/2015, 02:32 PM

if you're a week into the cycle you shouldn't be even close to being ready.

How much turnover are you getting? I see the return pump but can't tell what it is...but having it teed with those 90* fittings and the smaller return line is really cutting down on the flow to the DT.

IMO, I'd have waited to set everything up until I had everything, lights, etc.

Is there a protein skimmer?

jrr98002 · 12/29/2015, 04:40 PM

You don't really want to add any CUC until your cycle is complete, which at one week I doubt it is. The algae will wait to be taken care of until then, plus you'll have all kinds of other blooms to take care of in a bit probably. Once you're ready, reefcleaners is a good site to check out as mentioned above.

shyerdj · 12/29/2015, 06:55 PM

nice setup. i cant believe your first reef tank is gonna be a 180g with a 125g sump! I am extremely jealous. i have a 40g with a 20g sump for 9mo now. I am not jealous of how much you are gonna spend... good luck!

Ron Reefman · 12/30/2015, 06:32 AM

Great set up tank and sump size wise. I have a 180g reef and a 75g hex tank full of gorgonians over a 180g (8'x2'x18") sump/refugium/DSB. The 125g sump will serve you well.

Don't rush the process. The more you take your time, the better things will work out in the end. Remember, after the tank is cycled, you will still likely have an algae bloom and maybe even a bacteria bloom. A new tank isn't really 'mature' until it's at least 6 months old and more likely 9 to 12 months old.

Just remember the old saying, "Nothing good happens quickly in a marine aquarium!"

11/12/2015, 09:34 PM	#1
Ohioutony Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 29	Getting started Hello all, so I am about a week into cycling my 180 gallon tank with a 125 fuge/sump/filter sock tank. How many snails and hermit crabs and cleaner shrimp should I have? I see some green hair like algae starting. I have one fish, believe it or not a black moly feeder fish was hiding in a hole of a piece of rock that I bought so he got in by mistake haha. I have about 200 lbs of dry rock that cured in a 55 gallon barrel for a couple weeks before I put them in the tank.

12/29/2015, 02:32 PM	#5
chimmike oxygen abuser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Parrish, FL Posts: 5,089 Blog Entries: 2	if you're a week into the cycle you shouldn't be even close to being ready. How much turnover are you getting? I see the return pump but can't tell what it is...but having it teed with those 90* fittings and the smaller return line is really cutting down on the flow to the DT. IMO, I'd have waited to set everything up until I had everything, lights, etc. Is there a protein skimmer? __________________ -Mike Tankless wonder Geaux Noles!

12/30/2015, 06:32 AM	#8
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Great set up tank and sump size wise. I have a 180g reef and a 75g hex tank full of gorgonians over a 180g (8'x2'x18") sump/refugium/DSB. The 125g sump will serve you well. Don't rush the process. The more you take your time, the better things will work out in the end. Remember, after the tank is cycled, you will still likely have an algae bloom and maybe even a bacteria bloom. A new tank isn't really 'mature' until it's at least 6 months old and more likely 9 to 12 months old. Just remember the old saying, "Nothing good happens quickly in a marine aquarium!" __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

11/12/2015, 09:37 PM	#2
Ohioutony Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 29	Don't make fun of my lights I haven't bought any less yet I just have a clamp light with a 60 w led bulb in it until I figure out what kind of light to use and the picture of the fuge was when I was setting it up.

12/29/2015, 02:26 PM	#4
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	if you've checked your parameters and they all show the cycle complete, consider reef cleaners.org, and get half or less than what is recommended, they have packages for tank size. That would give you a starting point, and you can also add a few others to your liking.

12/29/2015, 04:40 PM	#6
jrr98002 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Little Rock Posts: 235	You don't really want to add any CUC until your cycle is complete, which at one week I doubt it is. The algae will wait to be taken care of until then, plus you'll have all kinds of other blooms to take care of in a bit probably. Once you're ready, reefcleaners is a good site to check out as mentioned above.

12/29/2015, 06:55 PM	#7
shyerdj Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 70	nice setup. i cant believe your first reef tank is gonna be a 180g with a 125g sump! I am extremely jealous. i have a 40g with a 20g sump for 9mo now. I am not jealous of how much you are gonna spend... good luck!